Grotz: NFL continues to Hunt for better player accountability

The NFL and the NFL Players Association applaud themselves on their foward thinking programs to investigate brutal assaults of women, only to look like they have no sensible process after a TMZ video depicts a hideous event that wasn't investigated properly almost nine months ago.

We shouldn't have to rely on TMZ to monitor the NFL in this area. Especially after the commissioner tells us in so many words that they've got it.

But that's what we've almost been forced to do. Until video proof appears, we're left wondering if any progress has been made since former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice decked a woman in a hotel elevator in 2013. The Rice nightmare also came to light in a TMZ video, and although the NFL indicated it had changed the way it dealt with violence against women, the process used in the Hunt case raises new questions.

The sight of Hunt going ballistic last February in a Cleveland hotel is frightening. Bodies flew across the hall, there were several witnesses and incredibly, no charges were filed with Cleveland police. A woman was kicked.

The Chiefs were aware that Hunt was involved in an altercation long before the season began but claimed they were unaware of the extent of Hunt's behavior until they saw the video Friday. In releasing Hunt, the Chiefs said the TMZ video confirmed the star running back lied about the extent of his involvement.

With speculation raging about a cover-up, Hunt made an apology of sorts Sunday, telling ESPN’s Lisa Salters, “I was in the wrong,” and that the woman in the video didn’t deserve it. The NFL issued a statement:

“The NFL's investigation began immediately following the incident in February. Consistent with standard investigatory practices, the NFL continues to pursue a complete understanding of the facts. The NFL's ongoing investigation will include further attempts to speak to the complainants involved in the incident. It will include a review of the new information that was made public on Friday – which was not available to the NFL previously – as well as further conversations with all parties involved in the incident.”

The Chiefs got 11 games, 1,202 yards from scrimmage and 14 touchdowns out of Hunt that they wouldn’t have had if he was disciplined before the season allegedly at the expense of a woman who was harmed. Imagine for a moment, a wife, daughter or family member working at the same facility with someone that management kept around for almost nine months, knowing someone had a blowup involving women.

Imagine the bosses getting rid of that character almost the minute there was video proof of the potential danger. How would that make you feel?

A thorough NFL investigation is warranted. Hopefully it brings about change.

The NFL owes it to its employees and fanbase.

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The Green Bay Packers got rid of head coach Mike McCarthy after a 20-17 loss Sunday to the Arizona Cardinals. While it was almost a foregone conclusion McCarthy would not be back, giving him a pink slip with six games remaining was surprising.

It was the first time the Packers axed a head coach before the end of a season in their illustrious history. Offensive coordinator Joe Philbin, who had an unsuccessful stint as head coach of the Miami Dolphins, is the interim coach. He went 24-48 in three seasons and four games with the Dolphins from 2012 through 2015.

Mike Zimmer, in his fifth year with the Vikings, is now the longest tenured head coach in the NFC North. As for McCarthy, he exits with a 125-77-2 record, including a Super Bowl 45 title and eight winning seasons. And a signature departure.

With three seconds left, Mason Crosby missed a 49-yard field goal attempt that would have sent the game into overtime. It gave the Packers (4-7-1) their fifth loss in six games, all but one of the setbacks by seven or fewer points.

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Make it 579 combined touchdown passes in the regular season and postseason for Tom Brady, tying him for the all-time NFL record with Peyton Manning. Brady threw one TD pass and one interception in a 24-10 triumph Sunday over the Vikings, who played solid defense.

The interception was the first in 183 pass attempts for Brady, and the Vikings couldn’t do anything with it.

Only the Chiefs (10-2) have a better record in the AFC than the Patriots (9-3). And the Patriots own the head-to-head tiebreaker with a victory over the Chiefs, who now are without Hunt.

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Speaking of the Patriots, they limited receiver Adam Thielen to five catches worth 48 yards. Entering the day, Thielen led the league with 93 receptions. With 1,138 receiving yards, he trailed only Julio Jones.

Thielen also had nine games of 100-or more receiving yards, two short of the NFL mark set by Michael Irvin (1995) and Calvin Johnson (2012).

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NOTES >> Fox TV analyst Troy Aikman puts John DeFilippo, the product of Radnor High, high on the list of head coaching candidates after the season. DeFilippo became offensive coordinator of the Vikings after being quarterbacks coach of the Eagles. … Thielen got into a jawing match with Patriots head coach Bill Belichick after the Vikings converted a controversial fourth-and-short run in the final frame. … Make it three straight victories for Ravens rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson, although a concussion led to Robert Griffin III finishing the 26-16 victory over the Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta. Jackson ran for 75 yards and a TD, Gus Edwards 82 yards as the Ravens (8-5) rolled up 207 rushing yards. The concussion occurred when Jackson was kicked in the head by one of own linemen. The Falcons are 4-8. … Former Eagles backup Chase Daniel threw two interceptions, was sacked five times and on the only Bears possession in overtime, fumbled three times in a 30-27 loss to the Giants (4-8). The Bears are 8-4 and atop the NFC North.